Former Leeds United and Doncaster winger wants to be politician in Senegal

Former Leeds United winger El Hadji Diouf has revealed to the Doncaster Free Press that he wants to become a politician in his home country of Senegal.

The 36-year-old winger was probably more famous for some of the controversial incident he caused instead of his play on the pitch. The man who turned out for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Doncaster Rovers and Leeds was known for spitting at both other players and fans while it was also alleged that he was once racist to a ball boy while also taunting Jamie Mackie after he was injured.

After retiring from playing in 2015, Diouf initially wanted to go into management, a conventional choice for former players. But now he has decided that a career in politics is more appealing to him and that he will aim to become an MP there in this year’s elections.

He said: “My future is defined. In the next two years I will be joining politics, because I know from that point I can change a lot in football.”

“I have a lot of passion for politics, and I have people in Senegal who are mentoring me. That is the future for me, because a lot of Senegalese people are able to listen to me.”

“I took high-level coaching courses, but decided not to continue since I have better plans on things I want to do.”

“But I am always available to advise my team whenever called upon.”

This wouldn’t be the first time a footballer has tried to get into politics. Most notably in this country was former Arsenal and Notts County defender Sol Campbell who sought the Conservative nomination to be the Mayor of London, but would end up losing out to Zac Goldsmith.